Rafael
Rafael: name meaning, origin and popularity
Meaning and origin of Rafael
- A male given name, variant of Raphael.
Etymology
Compare Spanish Rafael, Portuguese Rafael.
How popular is Rafael?
Since 1880, 568 girls and 89,379 boys in the U.S. have been named Rafael (1% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #3455 in 1977. Its highest rank for boys was #195 in 1985. In 2025 it ranked #218 for boys, with 1,639 babies given the name.
Names similar to Rafael
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
Sibling name ideas for Rafael
Names that peaked around the same time as Rafael and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Rafael FAQ
What does the name Rafael mean?
A male given name, variant of Raphael. Compare Spanish Rafael, Portuguese Rafael.
How popular is the name Rafael?
Since 1880, 568 girls and 89,379 boys in the U.S. have been named Rafael (1% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #3455 in 1977. Its highest rank for boys was #195 in 1985. In 2025 it ranked #218 for boys, with 1,639 babies given the name.
Is Rafael a boy or girl name?
Rafael is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 568 girls and 89,379 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.